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Mission: Statement of Purpose
The St. Mark's Community Association seeks to promote the well-being of our town's historic Black neighborhoods, including the collection of their history, the preservation of their heritage, and the maintenance and honoring of places that give present and past residents their claim on the town of Sewanee as home.
The Association seeks to be a community-focused resource where stakeholders can turn for information and advice about services needed to sustain the community's residential character and historic roots.
The Association further seeks to serve as a forum that nourishes and deepens the broader Sewanee community's awareness and appreciation of these neighborhoods' ongoing importance to the town and university. Adopted 2/21/2023
We undertake this Mission to...
Foster a neighborhood that embraces, empowers, and connects the community where all are proud to live, work, and play.
Cultivate a safe neighborhood by leveraging our resources to build a resilient and inclusive community and promote neighborhood pride.
To connect the neighborhood to resources through education, outreach, and advocacy.
To promote a resilient and civically engaged community by connecting neighbors.
To create a welcoming and inclusive neighborhood through cultural and multi-generational engagement and outreach.
To foster neighborhood pride by promoting a beautiful, vibrant, and respectful community.
To enhance and preserve the quality of life and sense of community through effective and efficient management of the Association.
To support initiatives and capital improvements that benefit the greater good of the community.
Conversations at the November 5th, 2023 Community Dinner included reflections about the renewal of the Community Center. There were several common threads. One was simply being glad about having a gathering place that is drawing new people in and earlier members back.
“It’s just nice for the Community to start coming together…for the remaining people that we have. Meeting new people that have left and come back has allowed us to reconnect.”
(The renewal) “makes me proud and happy that it is open for events to happen.”
Another common theme is the importance of making sure everyone is welcome, which was evidenced by attendance of members, wider community members, and employees and students of the University.
“It’s beautiful that people can use it. Everyone can use it. It’s welcoming. This is one of the last landmarks. They … tore down everything else. So it’s good that it’s still standing. .... It’s a Community effort to make it beautiful and inviting. One of the last landmarks to be here in Sewanee for this community. Nice for young people to be included.”
“I like that there is a place for black students to hang out and feel comfortable. There aren’t many places on campus like this, given that Sewanee is a PWI.”
An overarching theme was how deeply important this Center is to preserving the history of this community.
I like this place in every way. My great grandmother and grandfather used to run the Belmont Club.”
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